Making music: students find harmony in campus ensemble groups

The University Choir is one of the ensemble opportunities on campus for students to get involved with music and get class credit. Photo by EMILY PARIS, Photo Editor

When sophomore public relations and advertising major Rachael Glieberman first arrived on campus a year ago, she did what most freshmen do — search for a place where she felt she belonged. 

Due to her past experience in theater and choir, Glieberman began to seek out musical opportunities on campus and eventually found a place among the University Choir. 

“It’s nice to go and sing and not have to worry about homework for a few hours," Glieberman said. "It’s not an extracurricular — it’s a class. So, you feel like you need to be there, but at the same time, it’s a break from the day.” 

Many may think choir and music ensembles on campus are laborious extracurricular commitments, but the exact opposite is true. Music ensembles count as a one-credit music course, and they meet weekly just like any other academic class. The larger ensembles, including Chapman Orchestra, Wind Symphony and Chapman’s three choirs, can count towards the Artistic Inquiry GE. 

University Treble Choir Director Mikayla Feldman told The Panther that the choir and ensemble classes are a unique opportunity for students to meet academic requirements without the additional stress. 

“What we always tell people is that there is very little homework,” Feldman said. “You can take a three-credit class and write a research paper, or you could just take three semesters of choir, or more." 

The variety of music ensembles open to students is numerous and continues to grow. These include three choirs, three jazz ensembles and five instrumental ensembles. There are currently seven contemporary ensembles, including the Mariachi Panteras, Guitar Ensemble and a new class called Chapman Jams, that can count towards satisfying the Artistic GE. 

None of these classes are restricted to music majors or minors, though Feldman, who graduated in 2017 with a degree in vocal performance and business management, said some require auditions. All of these options are simply for any musically-inclined student.

“Whatever their range of experience is, there’s opportunities within the Conservatory of Music for them to be able to explore and develop those skill sets,” Feldman said.  

ChapTones, an acapella group on campus, is another way for musically-inclined students to participate in a local ensemble group. Photo courtesy of Valentyna Simon.

But no examination of the musical world of Chapman is complete without mention of the thriving acapella scene. With four groups on campus, students can attempt to pursue their “Pitch Perfect” inspired dreams. 

Senior television writing and production major Reece Melber joined the acapella group ChapTones his freshman year and has remained a member ever since, even serving as the group’s music director last semester. 

Though acapella groups are extracurricular activities and may require travel for competition and performances, they can easily be balanced with a full course load. Melber even told The Panther that his time with the ChapTones has been imperative to his time at Chapman. 

“At the very least, it’s given me a family that I’ve always had, especially through COVID,” Melber said. “Friends have come and gone, (and) things have changed. But I’ve always had the ChapTones to be my rock, and it’s always something I have to depend on if I need people.”

Whether pursuing choir, instrumental ensembles or acapella groups, those who partake in these musical endeavors often find a sense of community that cannot be found on a sports field or in a class lecture. 

“It’s very difficult to articulate the sense of community you feel when you are in any sort of ensemble,” Feldman said. “There’s a real beauty in people from all different backgrounds and upbringings and disciplines and interests coming together for this common goal and common purpose. I love that sense of community that’s developed. It’s a way for people to find a place where they belong.”

For more information on these ensembles, auditions, and GE credit visit linktr.ee/ChapmanMusic.